Church makes me sleepy.
The priest tells these seemingly important stories, trying to make them easy for kids like me to understand by using examples, but the whole thing is just too long. For kids like me, three sentences are about the limit, dear priest.
This is one of those slightly bigger gatherings that happen once every three months.
Since we're a ducal family, we have reserved seats. Father sits in the front row, followed by Brother Stefan, then Brother Sevran to his left, and me at the far end.
In front of me are priests who don't seem that important. I know I shouldn't fall asleep, but my eyes just close on their own... It's not my fault...
"Fran, it's almost over. Hang in there."
"Okay."
Before I knew it, I was dozing off and leaning against Brother Sevran.
I forced my eyes open several times, and finally, the priest's long talk came to an end.
"Fran, it's over. Can you walk? Should I give you a piggyback ride?"
"Sevran, if it's Fran, I'll carry him."
It's the first time my brothers have spoiled me this much at church. Before, they'd just ask, "Can you walk?" and hold my hand, but now...
I couldn't help but smile contentedly.
"What's wrong, Fran! Get it together! Walking will wake you up!"
Father's voice was so loud that I jumped. It's like his voice control knob is broken—he always speaks in such a booming voice. He's such a passionate person.
Thanks to that jolt, I woke up, and I found myself in the rare position of holding both Brother Stefan and Sevran's hands as we made our way to the exit.
"Fran, your father and brothers will be making a donation! Wait here for a bit! Hang in there!"
"Yes. Have a safe trip, Father, Brothers."
"Indeed!"
"We'll be back soon."
"We'll return shortly."
I was helped into our family's proud carriage, parked in front of the church, and left to wait. Since I'm still small, they don't take me deeper into the church. Donations are important business, so it'll probably take some time.
(I'm bored!)
Our carriage is big and fancy, but it doesn't have any toys, so all I can do is look outside.
Kitty is sitting across from me, and occasionally she gives me a cookie from the basket, which is a lifesaver. Though she doesn't give me too many, since it's almost lunchtime when we get home. Kitty knows my stomach better than I do.
"Kitty, everyone outside is looking at us."
"It's likely because the Triaina family's carriage is the most magnificent of them all."
"Kitty, the children are approaching the carriage one by one."
"They are beggar children from the slums, it seems."
"Oh, they're almost here."
"Would you like to give them something?"
Hmm, I want to give them something, but I don't have anything I can give. As always, I don't have any money...
"What should I give them?"
"Since they seem to be children, these cookies should suffice."
Hmm. There are plenty of cookies in the basket, so I guess it's okay.
"Okay, I'll give them some."
"Very well. Please do not leave the carriage; give them the offering through the window. I will open it for you now, so please wait a moment."
While Kitty was opening the carriage window with a clattering sound, the children gathered around.
"Noble sir!"
"Noble sir! Please give us alms!"
"Please, alms!"
Oh, there are way more kids gathering than I expected... The hands reaching up from below the window are a bit creepy. They're not touching or hitting the carriage, so they're more well-behaved than ghosts, at least.
"I'll give you some, so please wait and line up."
I stuck my head out of the window and handed out cookies one by one from the basket Kitty was holding. Since I'm handing them from above, and I asked them to line up, but they didn't, so they're all clumped together below the window, and now I can't tell who I've given cookies to.
"Uh, didn't I just give you one?"
"I haven't gotten one yet! Please give me some alms!"
"Oh, okay. ...Ah, you, the one next to him! That one was for the kid next to you."
"Please give me alms, noble sir!"
"Please give me alms, noble sir!"
"Please give me alms, noble sir!"
"Eek."
They're all chanting in unison like they're trained or something... It's kind of scary. The ones saying it are a bit older than me, though there are also smaller kids, but they're so small I can only see their heads.
"Did the little ones get their cookies?"
"Please give me alms, noble sir!"
I asked the person at the front, but they still just say this. What are they, some AI malfunctioning or something?
"Come on, listen! The little kids—"
"Please give me alms, noble sir—"
"I get it, just wait a sec... Ugh...! That's it! I've had enough! Should I just use magic to put everyone to sleep?!"
Ugh! I held back really well, you know! I'm supposed to be a spoiled noble, after all! A bratty noble like me held out as long as he could!
But now, I can't take it anymore!
I unlatched the safety on the door and stepped outside.
"You mustn't, Young Master!"
Kitty panicked, but it was too late—I was already out. I jumped down from the carriage, and the kids from the slums were a bit taken aback.
With a sharp glare, I marched forward.
"Here, eat this! It's tasty!"
"Uh, uh..."
I handed a cookie directly to a kid smaller than me. They took it but didn't eat it, so I gave them another one.
"Here, for that kid too!"
I started taking cookies from Kitty's basket, focusing on handing them out to the smaller kids.
"I'm a villain, you know! I can be discriminatory too!"
While I was doing that, an older kid, having regained their composure, said "alms" again. I turned around, thinking, "I've definitely already given you something!" and found myself in a headlock.
"Sorry, I hadn't disciplined them properly."
"Muggler-kun!"
Muggler-kun! It's Muggler-kun!
The boy putting me in a headlock was my friend, Mugg... no, um...
"Treize!"
"Yes, Treize. What are you doing here?"
"I'm keeping an eye on these guys. It was getting out of hand, so I came to mediate. ...Sorry for being late."
"It's okay!"
Once Treize-kun showed up, everyone behaved. They even stopped talking.
"You lot! Since you caused trouble, we're going home now!"
Wow... Treize-kun, who I thought was just a subordinate, was acting like a big shot. The slum kids also seemed to be moving away from the carriage and heading back.
One of the little kids waved goodbye, so I waved back. Even if the world is different, some things are the same.
"Hey."
"Oh, Treize-kun, you want some cookies too? I have some!"
"Not that. ...The clothes are ready, so you can come by anytime. ...See you!"
Clothes! That's right! I had plans to be shown around the town! I remembered when he mentioned it quietly. Treize-kun might be quite capable.
"Master, I'm so glad you're safe..."
Kitty hugged me. I had broken a promise...
"Kitty, I'm sorry."
When I hugged back, Kitty grabbed my head firmly with his big hands.
"Have you reflected on your actions? Good! We're going to the confessional!"
"Iiieek, Father!?"
"Fran, I told you to wait quietly."
"I'll wait in front of the confessional."
I don't know when I was being watched, but being outside the carriage was a no-go!
I made my first confession to a priest in the confessional. Even though I was told "I forgive you" from behind the curtain, when I got home, Father issued a one-day apple pie ban.
(Well, I suppose it can't be helped... Ugh...)
I am again determined to quit being a villain.